Customer Reviews

Winding Highways

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Singer-Songwriter Clark has sure lead a winding highway over the last 40 years of his life. From Louisville to Greenwich Village in New York City to Nashville (a few times). He's been a publishing stable in Nashville (writing songs to be recorded by others) and a salesman in the telecom industry before it went bust. He's lost his voice, and got it back. And he has certainly paid his dues. But along the way, he's honed both his writing and performing skills and met up with some pretty good company in the form of other songwriters whose names you probably know better than Clark's. Sam Bush, Robin and Linda Williams, John Prine and Jerry Jeff Walker are just a few, and they all help Clark on this CD, the album he's wanted to make for decades.

With production by Jim Rooney - who also spent many years playing folk clubs and recording Lps for small independent labels - the is a well rounded album, showcasing Clark's varied subjects. He can write a song like "Tijuana Tequila", which has a Jimmy Buffet feel (complete with accordion) and a good old "country" song like "Bound to Lovin' You". The funny side of Clark comes through on his newly composed "Boots" song (which - though accompanied by most of those friends I mentioned earlier - will probably never get airplay because of its title). Clark also pays tribute to songwriters who influenced him such as U. Utah Phillips and Paul Siebel. "Shanty Boat Bill" - a Clark composition - doesn't have Jerry Jeff Walker singing with him, but it wouldn't be unusual for Walker to record this song on one of his albums. If you like Jerry Jeff, or John Prine you'll enjoy Clark's songs. Unlike most songs by Nashville-based writers nearly all the songs here approach or exceed four minutes in length. This allows Clark to let his accompanists stretch out a bit. My favorite track is the lead off song "Red Velvet Cake" while I found "Rodeo Fool" the weakest. It doesn't show off Clark's singing voice to its best and the phrasing is a bit off.

Overall, this a fine album from a singer/songwriter who has "paid his dues" and will appeal to the fan of "Americana" music.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

This is an excellent collection of songs for those of us who appreciate good melodies and lyrics that tell a good story. The production is excellent, with an emphasis on accoustic instruments. Mickey Clark's voice is strong and has a rare sincerity about it that really made me pay attention. If you are bored by artists who rely more on sex appeal than talent and tired of contemporary country with its over-compressed sameness, this CD will be a welcome, refreshing treat. For years, I have wondered why Nashville doesn't produce new music with classic quality that would appeal to "boomers" like me. Mickey Clark's Winding Highways does just that.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most enjoyable albums I've heard in a long time! Mickey Clark is truly a "Hidden Star" just waiting to be discovered by the American populace. Where has he been hiding all these years?